Letter concerning hospital beds, Boston, 1861

Chase Brothers & Co. of Boston wrote to Alonzo Garcelon, Maine's surgeon general who was preparing a regimental hospital in Portland, about beds.

The letter notes that orders from New Hampshire and Fortress Monroe took all the beds the company had on hand, but that they could supply the beds about which Garcelon inquired for $5.50 each for 100 or more, which did not include mosquito rods or sheeting.

A later letter, in response to one from Garcelon, offered the beds at $5.

Garcelon, a Lewiston physician, served as surgeon general for the state during the Civil War. He helped outfit medical personnel in Maine regiments before they left the state and set up and supervised the regimental hospital in Portland.